A multi-city study conducted by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) claims that acids used to clean toilets in houses could trigger asthma, upper respiratory tract infections and other ailments.
According to this study, which was also conducted in Hyderabad, families are unknowingly putting themselves at risk by using locally available acids to clean toilets.
In Hyderabad, 52 per cent respondents complained of shortness of breath, 31 per cent experienced watery eyes, 24 per cent skin irritation, 15 per cent burning sensation and 18 per cent other problems, members of the IMA told reporters on Wednesday, adding that 145 households from the city were part of the study.
So why are households persisting with such acids?
“A majority of the housewives we contacted said local acids were cheap compared to branded ones. They said local acids were better in removing stains, and killing germs and bacteria,” said Preetaish Kaul, who presented the study findings.
Exposure to acid fumes, even for 10-15 minutes a day, has the potential to cause respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, nasal ulceration and even kidney damage in some.
“Such acids are definitely one of the causes for triggering asthma and upper respiratory tract infections. The idea was to draw everyone’s attention towards acid usage and its health implications,” said pulmonologist V.V. Ramana Prasad.
The study was also conducted in five other cities including Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. A total of 2,250 families and 150 physicians, including chest specialists, were part of the survey.
Interestingly, on an average in a month, family members in a typical household are exposed for 2.5 hours to acid fumes, the study said. Despite this, 80 per cent of the persons, who actually clean toilets with acids, do not use gloves and 63 per cent do not cover their eyes.
“Basically, such acids cause short-term and long-term health implications. Cough, respiratory tract infections, bronchitis and abnormal fluid build-up in the lungs that causes shortness of breath are some of the long terms ailments,” Dr. Ramana Prasad said.
